Google planning kid-friendly versions of YouTube, Chrome and more

Google has confirmed that it is working on kid-safe versions
of some of its most popular products, including YouTube, Chrome and the Google search engine.

Speaking with
USA Today, Google VP of Engineering Pavni Diwanji
discussed the upcoming child-safe alternatives, which will be aimed at kids
aged 12 and younger and are rumored to be released late next year.

With so many Google employees having children of their own, executives
at the company have become motivated to create online services that are safe
and fun for kids to use. And unsurprisingly, Diwanji says that encouraging
children to become both consumers and creators of tech is high on Google’s agenda.

Diwanji expects the products may drum up controversy, but
argues that when children are already accessing technology at home and in
schools on a daily basis, it makes sense to come up with a version catered
specifically to the under-12 market.

Won't somebody think of the children?

While there’s
plenty of options out there for anxious
parents, such as parental filters and devices specially designed for children,
a completely kid-friendly search engine and YouTube option is likely to be more
effective than simply switching on SafeSearch.

What may spark debate is the idea of Google treating
children as another means to collect data and revenue. The company will need to
comply with the strict regulations set in place by the Children’s Online
Privacy Protection Act, which aims to prevent companies from collecting info on
minors without ‘verifiable’ parental consent.

At this stage, it’s unclear whether the products will simply
control the types of media and information children can access, or offer a
completely child-focused overhaul of Google services. Diwanji says there are
plans to include parental supervision options, but ultimately it’s up to
individual parents to decide the level of control they have over their children’s
online activities.

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